The first three chapters
1. Winston, 39 returns to his home in London. He is a party member. As he climbs up the stairs there is a sign which he is used to seeing: BIG BROTHER (BB) IS WATCHING YOU (BBWY). He is not a vey important member of the party. It was the only party, which was totalitarian, as was its regime. Winston's life was fully under political oppression, as was everyone else's. There is a machine in his apartment called a tele screen which you are not allowed to ever switch off. It is controlled by the Thought police, who can send anyone to a labour camp, or just kill them without trial, people would just disappear in the night. All historical record from the past have been deleted and citizens are only told propaganda. The party even wants to control your thoughts.
Winston starts writing a dear, which is a crime sanctioned by either 25 years in a labour camp or death by public hanging. While he writes, we find out that he hates the political regime. We also find out that the country they are in is called Oceania and they are in war with Eurasia which the people know nothing about other than government claims that they are bad and the aggressors.
Every mistake you make can result in your death, for example not smiling straight away when good news is mentioned about "good news" on the war or not raging enough during "hate time" when you were supposed to, in a room shout and show your rage on the country's enemies.
After writing, he realized that he wrote "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" in the diary. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
2. Winston approaches the door, not caring that his book was open as it made no difference anyway.
However, to his joy, it was just Mrs. Parsons (or Comrade Parsons) asking for help with plumbing while her husband was away.
This chapter describes how this regime especially affects children, as Mrs. Parsons mentions her children were very upset that they couldn't see the public hangings.
3. Winston wakes up just in time for "morning jerks" which was basically obligatory physical exercise. He was dreaming about his mum. He somehow felt responsible for her disappearance and remembers that they were on a sinking boat. He also remembered the word "Shakespeare", not knowing what it means or where it came from.
During physical exercise, he thinks about his childhood then about the war. The record stated that Oceania was at war with Eurasia and its alliances. However, Winston knew that the records were changed.
Then, his name appears on the screen meaning he wasn't working hard enough. So, he started to work harder and eventually managed to touch his toes.
1. Winston, 39 returns to his home in London. He is a party member. As he climbs up the stairs there is a sign which he is used to seeing: BIG BROTHER (BB) IS WATCHING YOU (BBWY). He is not a vey important member of the party. It was the only party, which was totalitarian, as was its regime. Winston's life was fully under political oppression, as was everyone else's. There is a machine in his apartment called a tele screen which you are not allowed to ever switch off. It is controlled by the Thought police, who can send anyone to a labour camp, or just kill them without trial, people would just disappear in the night. All historical record from the past have been deleted and citizens are only told propaganda. The party even wants to control your thoughts.
Winston starts writing a dear, which is a crime sanctioned by either 25 years in a labour camp or death by public hanging. While he writes, we find out that he hates the political regime. We also find out that the country they are in is called Oceania and they are in war with Eurasia which the people know nothing about other than government claims that they are bad and the aggressors.
Every mistake you make can result in your death, for example not smiling straight away when good news is mentioned about "good news" on the war or not raging enough during "hate time" when you were supposed to, in a room shout and show your rage on the country's enemies.
After writing, he realized that he wrote "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" in the diary. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
2. Winston approaches the door, not caring that his book was open as it made no difference anyway.
However, to his joy, it was just Mrs. Parsons (or Comrade Parsons) asking for help with plumbing while her husband was away.
This chapter describes how this regime especially affects children, as Mrs. Parsons mentions her children were very upset that they couldn't see the public hangings.
3. Winston wakes up just in time for "morning jerks" which was basically obligatory physical exercise. He was dreaming about his mum. He somehow felt responsible for her disappearance and remembers that they were on a sinking boat. He also remembered the word "Shakespeare", not knowing what it means or where it came from.
During physical exercise, he thinks about his childhood then about the war. The record stated that Oceania was at war with Eurasia and its alliances. However, Winston knew that the records were changed.
Then, his name appears on the screen meaning he wasn't working hard enough. So, he started to work harder and eventually managed to touch his toes.
Although your blog is presented as a plot summary, it contains a strong indication of how you respond to the noel, which is excellent.
ReplyDeleteThis post has gotten me very intrigued to find out more about this novel! Do you recommend it ?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the summary! I've heard many things about this book and excellent comments on it. Do you recommend this book to read at home, and in your free time?
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